Finance

OpenAI President Donates $5.5 Million and Saves the Home of Eagles Jackie and Shadow

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Preserved land on the shores of Big Bear Lake will be protected thanks to a last-minute donation from Greg and Anna Brockman, which blocked construction of a 50-home luxury development.

Always together protecting the nest. Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear! Photo: Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Key Takeaways:

  • Saved at the last minute: With only days left before the deadline and still missing half of the $10 million needed to prevent the eagles’ hunting grounds from becoming a luxury subdivision and marina, the president of OpenAI and his wife stepped in unexpectedly to cover the remaining $5.5 million.
  • From livestream screens to real-world impact: The effort mobilized more than 25,000 small donors worldwide—where the first nest camera was installed in 2015 and now broadcasts live 24/7—with fans selling personal belongings and hosting fundraisers to help.
  • A bittersweet victory: Despite the major habitat win, the community can’t fully celebrate: matriarch eagle Jackie was rescued with severe injuries following a territorial fight and is now fighting for her life at a veterinary center with severe anemia.

The nest of the famous bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, in Big Bear, California, is safe. The 63-acre (about 25.5 hectares) parcel on the lake’s north shore, known as Moon Camp, won’t be turned into a luxury development or a marina.

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Friends of Big Bear Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust managed to raise the more than $10 million needed to buy the land, under a purchase agreement with property owner RCK Properties.

The campaign, launched in February, faced a deadline of July 31. At the start of last week, roughly $5.5 million was still needed. That’s when the check arrived from Greg Brockman, co-founder and president of OpenAI, and his wife Anna.

The Tight Deadline and the Threat to the Habitat

The land in Fawnskin is considered the last preserved stretch of shoreline on Big Bear Lake. Located just below Jackie and Shadow’s nest, the site serves as an important hunting ground for the pair. The first camera on the nest was installed in 2015, and today the footage streams live 24/7. The riparian habitat is also home to San Bernardino flying squirrels and a rare endemic plant.

The real estate project called for 50 luxury homes and a marina. Environmentalists warned the development would completely alter the habitat and the scene millions of people follow online.

The Donation That Closed the Gap

“We did it together!” Friends of Big Bear Valley announced. “Your love for Jackie, Shadow, their chicks, and their habitat raised nearly half of the total. The rest came from a generous donation of more than $5.5 million from Anna and Greg Brockman.”

More than 25,000 donations — most of them modest — covered just under half of the goal. Jenny Voisard, a spokesperson for the organization, noted: “I’m grateful to everyone who donated, including those who didn’t have money to spare, who made sacrifices, sold things, or organized fundraising events.”

With the funds secured, the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust will purchase the property and place it in a trust, jointly managed by Friends of Big Bear Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust. Any funds raised beyond the goal will cover closing costs, taxes, legal fees, and long-term maintenance.

A family reunited and protected! A tender look at Jackie and Shadow watching over their chicks. Credit: Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Anna Brockman’s Message

“Greg and I are grateful to all those who championed saving the home of these majestic eagles,” Anna said. “Like many people around the world, we love watching them be amazing partners to one another and raise their young together. They inspire perseverance and a sense of connectedness to something greater, to nature.”

“We are so appreciative of the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust and everyone who came together to preserve this incredible ecosystem, the life it will help sustain, and the forest that will be protected for generations to come,” she added.

An Unusual Donation

The contribution to save the eagles’ habitat stands apart from the couple’s recent donation pattern. According to The Information, Greg and Anna Brockman became major political donors in 2025, contributing $25 million to MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC, on top of a pledged $50 million to Leading the Future, a super PAC focused on supporting candidates favorable to artificial intelligence.

OpenAI has stated that these donations were made in a personal capacity and don’t represent the company’s position.

Meanwhile, Jackie Fights for Recovery

The celebration comes amid concern over Jackie’s own health. On July 17, she was found on the ground near Dana Point Park, unable to fly after a fight with two young eagles. A cellphone video captured the confrontation, showing Jackie rolling onto her back to fend them off with her talons.

At the Ojai Raptor Center, veterinarians diagnosed severe anemia and kidney inflammation, performed a blood transfusion, and the bird remains under specialized care.

Recent tests, taken in early August, showed her packed cell volume (PCV) had dropped to 13%. The cause remains unknown, and testing continues. Her chicks, Sandy and Luna, had already fledged the nest around August 1 — an important milestone, even amid the uncertainty over their mother’s condition.

While Jackie remains under veterinary care, the permanent preservation of Moon Camp ensures that once she’s able to return to the wild, she, Shadow, and future generations of eagles will have a protected habitat on the shores of Big Bear Lake.

Sources and References

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